New sick pay and parental leave rules for UK workers take effect
- The Employment Rights Act has taken effect, giving UK workers day-one rights to Statutory Sick Pay.
- Employees are also now entitled to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave from the first day of a new job.
- A new Fair Work Agency has been formed to enforce the Act and ensure these rights are upheld.
From today, employees in the UK will enjoy day-one rights to sick pay and parental leave as the Employment Rights Act takes effect.
Previously, UK workers were only entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from their fourth day of absence from work due to sickness. As of today, they will be able to receive sick pay from their first day of absence, regardless of how much they are paid.
The government said this change will benefit millions of people across the United Kingdom, who will get around £400 million a year extra in sick pay.
It added that this change should help to reduce the duration of sickness absences and improve productivity while ensuring people can recover without fear of losing their income.
New fathers also now have the right to paternity leave from day one in a new job. Previously, employees would have to be employed for six months before becoming eligible for Statutory Paternity Leave.
Unpaid paternity leave has also been reformed. Whereas employees were previously required to have been employed for a year before qualifying for unpaid parental leave, they will now be eligible to take this leave from the first day in a new job.
These changes to unpaid parental leave are expected to impact 1.5 million working parents across the United Kingdom.
Parents will also be granted a new right to time off following the death of a child’s mother or primary adopter through the newly introduced Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave.
“Day one rights mean exactly that: rights that are there for you from the moment you start a job, and from the moment you get sick,” said Business Secretary Peter Kyle.
“Whether you’re a low-paid employee who’s been forced to work while unwell, or a new parent who wants to be there for their family, these changes are for you.”
“We’re delivering the most significant upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.”
On Tuesday 7 April, the government also launched the Fair Work Agency, which will ensure that employment rights are enforced effectively.
